Novak Djokovic says Alexander Zverev is “the leader of the new generation” after his 6-4 6-1 victory over the German at the ATP Finals on Wednesday.

Zverev, the 21-year-old world No 5, wasted a golden break-point opportunity in the ninth game of the first set, with the score at 4-4, which turned a close battle into a one-sided success for the Serbian world No 1.

Djokovic broke his opponent twice in the second set, with Zverev winning just one service game, as he closed out the match with ease to go top of Group Guga Kuerten and put one foot in the semi-finals at London’s O2 Arena.